Men jailed without bond on suspected probation violations

Two men admitted there is probable cause for the probation violation complaints that have been filed against them.

Former Collins resident Travis M. Kovach, 28, and Jonathan L. Howe, 25, of Napoleon, will be held in the Huron County Jail without bond until the second part of their probation violation hearings on Dec. 10.

Kovach failed to obtain his GED, admitted to using marijuana and heroin and also failed to make "satisfactory payments" on his restitution, fine and court costs, Huron County Assistant Prosecutor Daivia Kasper said.

His convictions are for attempted burglary and theft for a June 18, 2008 incident. In mid-February 2009, Kovach was sentenced to a 90-day jail sentence on the work release program. He also was fined $500, ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution to the victim and perform 100 hours of community service.

Howe, in late February 2008, was fined $2,500 as part of his three years of probation for his attempted receiving stolen property conviction. Like Kovach, he also was placed on three years of probation.

Since August 2009, Howe, who had been living in New York, is accused of absconding the supervision of the New York probation department, Kasper said.

"He also failed to make his financial obligations," she said.

On the morning of Nov. 16, the Napoleon Police Department had Howe in custody on the local probation violation warrant.

Huron County Public Defender David Longo said Howe is trying to get custody of his daughter and is the subject of a New York lawsuit "over a dog bite."

"Nothing about a warrant came up," Longo said.

Howe is taking medication for seizures and headaches related to injuries he sustained in an assault. Longo said Howe was walking down the street with a woman when her estranged boyfriend "came out of nowhere" and then slammed Howe's head onto the sidewalk multiple times.